Front driveshaft removal help

[NVSmythe]

2003 4wd limited

I have a bad u joint I’m trying to replace on my front driveshaft.

I’ve got the front separated from the front diff and the drive shaft compressed.
I have the nuts off the flange connecting the driveshaft to the transfer case. The bolts appear to be pressed into the flange on the transfer case.

I looked like I should be able to slide the driveshaft off the bolts and maneuver it out between the cross members.

BUT... I have separate the driveshaft from the transfer case.
I’ve tried driving a pry bar between the flanges, hitting it with a BFH, putting the pry bar between the times and hitting that with a BFH to pop them apart.
The things isn’t moving a bit.

Am I missing something? Or just hit it with more PB blaster and try again later?

Any ideas?

 

[Inv4drZm]

2003 4wd limited

I have a bad u joint I’m trying to replace on my front driveshaft.

I’ve got the front separated from the front diff and the drive shaft compressed.
I have the nuts off the flange connecting the driveshaft to the transfer case. The bolts appear to be pressed into the flange on the transfer case.

I looked like I should be able to slide the driveshaft off the bolts and maneuver it out between the cross members.

BUT... I have separate the driveshaft from the transfer case.
I’ve tried driving a pry bar between the flanges, hitting it with a BFH, putting the pry bar between the times and hitting that with a BFH to pop them apart.
The things isn’t moving a bit.

Am I missing something? Or just hit it with more PB blaster and try again later?

Any ideas?

Are you using a deadblow or a real metal hammer?

 

[81runner]

THIS. Just did all my u joints today. Smack that sucker with a hammer a couple times and it should pop out. Make sure the shaft is fully collapsed or it won't come out past the cross member